Third Asian Arabic Debating Championship Kicks Off in Muscat

rki.news

Competition brings together 140 participants from across the region

Muscat, October 28, 2025: The third edition of the Asian Arabic Debating Championship kicked off today, hosted by Oman for the second consecutive time. The event is jointly organized by Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Qatar Debate Center, and its Omani counterpart. The tournament runs from October 28 to November 1, 2025.

This year’s championship builds on the success of previous editions, bringing together an elite group of 40 university teams from 16 Asian countries, totaling 140 debaters from various universities and educational institutions. Participants will engage in intellectual discussions aimed at promoting a culture of dialogue in Arabic while fostering critical thinking and communication skills among youth.

Opening Ceremony

The Arab Open University in Muscat hosted the opening ceremony, attended by senior officials, including HE Mohammed bin Said bin Mohammed Al Balushi, Undersecretary of the Omani Ministry of Information; HE Basil bin Ahmed Al Rawas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth; Dr. Hayat Abdullah Maarafi, Executive Director of the QatarDebate Center; and Professor Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Badri, President of the Arab Open University in Oman.

Other attendees included university presidents, media representatives, delegations from participating teams, and members of the technical and judging committees.

The ceremony was opened by Reem Al Musallam, Head of Communications at QatarDebate Center. Reem welcomed attendees, noting that Muscat’s selection as the event host “affirms its historical role as a bridge for cultural communication and a meeting point for diverse cultures.”

“Debates teach us that the power of words lies in logic, and that dialogue is the path to understanding and reconciliation. At QatarDebate, we remain committed to fostering a culture of debate and empowering youth across continents. Over the coming days, each hall will tell a new story of thriving thought in Arabic, building bridges of understanding that extend beyond this tournament,” she added.

The high-level participation underscored the growing importance of the tournament in empowering Asian youth to engage in constructive dialogue and discuss contemporary issues.

Khalid Khamis Al-Ibrahim, the tournament’s general coordinator, expressed QatarDebate’s pride in organizing the event for the second consecutive time in Oman, which brings together Asian youth for constructive discussions. “This championship exemplifies QatarDebate Center’s mission to empower youth with critical thinking and analytical skills, enriching Arabic dialogue and strengthening the language’s role in keeping pace with contemporary changes.” He added, “We believe debate is not merely an academic activity but a tool for open-minded individuals to create a positive impact on society. Our ongoing partnership with Oman highlights the success of our collaborative efforts in forging humanitarian connections and promoting a culture of dialogue.”

Nasser bin Humaid Al-Hinai, CEO of the OmanDebate Center, emphasized that the Sultanate’s hosting of the championship “demonstrates its commitment to youth initiatives, providing a platform for young people to express their opinions and broaden their perspectives on both local and global issues.” Al-Hinai added, “This opportunity is central to the mission of Oman Debate Center in organizing international events focused on the art of debating. Today, we celebrate the second consecutive hosting of this championship, which plays a vital role in empowering local talent and fostering collaboration with international judges, organizers, and debaters. It also strengthens the Sultanate’s position as a dynamic regional platform for promoting dialogue and its noble values. Over the past year, we have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this event, and we are excited about its profound intellectual and human impact.”

Debating Contemporary Issues

This year’s debates focus on a range of regional and global issues affecting youth, including sustainable development, education, and cultural identity, among others. The first day featured two qualifying rounds, with all teams participating.

Since its inception, the championship has garnered broad support from educational and media institutions, underscoring its role in enhancing students’ skills and enabling them to express their views responsibly.

Arbitration Academy

Debaters compete in a series of preliminary and elimination rounds, evaluated by an international jury based on criteria such as argument strength, language proficiency, and analytical methods.

In preparation for the event, QatarDebate hosted the Arbitration Academy workshop from October 25 to 27, with 30 Omani arbitrators in attendance. The workshop, led by trainers Jaber Abu Hamid and Mohammed Salman Ali, aimed to develop the arbitrators’ skills and standardize evaluation criteria according to the latest debate practices. It also introduced participants to the championship’s system, arbitration mechanisms, and teamwork.

The workshop saw active participation, with attendees emphasizing the importance of such programs in empowering arbitrators and ensuring the highest standards of fairness and professionalism.

Trainer Mohammed Salman Ali said the workshop was designed to equip arbitrators with tools and methodologies that ensure fair and impartial evaluations. He noted, “We believe that justice, accuracy, and impartiality are core values that should guide judges’ decisions, and by upholding them, we can elevate the level of tournaments and strengthen Arabic as a global language of dialogue.”

This workshop is part of a broader series of preparatory activities organized by QatarDebate Center to ensure the success of the tournament and promote Arabic dialogue among youth from diverse cultures.